My Top 5 Best Delivery Companies in Nigeria — and exactly what I use each one for


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I run businesses that sell items people want delivered quickly and reliably. Over the years I’ve tested dozens of couriers across Lagos, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa and beyond. Some are unreliable. But others quietly get the job done.

Here’s the list I trust today, and how I use each service in practice.


1. Peng Logistics — my go-to for same-day, inter-state and international handoffs

I use Peng as the default on every local transaction where delivery is important. For example, if a customer in PH city wants moissanite earrings by evening, I simply use Peng for quick pickup and expect reliable delivery, and it's done about 90% of the time. For small businesses who need same-day delivery within a city, Peng’s local dispatch model works better than any national brand I’ve used.

What I use them for

  1. Same-day city deliveries within Lagos, Bayelsa and Port Harcourt.
  2. Doorstep pickups for all my park waybills.
  3. International shipments via their DHL/UPS/FedEx handover — I use Peng to collect and consolidate, then they drop to the international carrier.
  4. Payment on delivery handling within their locations.

Why I rely on them

  • They actually pick up at agreed times. Lesser excuses.
  • Clear, fast communication on WhatsApp. If there's an issue or delay I get updates.

Where Peng isn’t perfect

  • Heavy pallets and complex freight.
  • Same-day rules change when a load is very large, dispatch riders can't handle everything.


2. GIG Logistics (GIGL) — best for structured inter-state moves

GIG is consistent. When I have planned inter-state volumes and need a known collection point, GIG is my pick.

What I use them for

  1. Regular inter-state shipments where timing is predictable.
  2. Bulk e-commerce pushes to other states.
  3. When I need visible tracking and a bigger network to rely on.

Why they’re useful

  • Nationwide reach and a system that scales.
  • Good for scheduled runs where I don’t need same-day micro-routing.

Where they fall short

  • Not as flexible for fast city runs. Expect park drop-offs unless you pay for pickup.


3. Agofure Parcel Service — dependable for the road network and waybills

Agofure lives on the road. If I’m sending furniture, boxes, or multiple parcels to the south-south or Lagos and I want value without too much fuss, Agofure is where I go.

What I use them for

  1. Waybill shipments and heavier boxes that can ride with bus networks.
  2. Long, affordable routes where air or express would be overkill.

Why I use them

  • Price to value ratio is strong for non-urgent, heavier shipments.
  • Their routes are regular and familiar to drivers and station staff.

Where they fail me

  • No same-day guarantees in the city.


4. DHL — my pick for international reliability

When I must move goods across borders without customs nightmares, I use DHL.

What I use them for

  1. Exports and imports where tracking and customs handling are critical.
  2. Products that must arrive on schedule.

Why DHL

  • Global coverage and consistent customs procedures. Their tracking actually means something when you’re sending abroad.

Why I don’t use them for everything

  • Price. For local same-day needs, DHL is too expensive and too slow on last-mile pickup.


5. FedEx — international backup and occasional speed wins

FedEx is the other global tool in my box. I switch to FedEx for lanes or accounts where they beat DHL on timing or cost.

What I use them for

  1. International lanes where FedEx has a better timetable or promotional price.
  2. When a corporate buyer requests FedEx explicitly.

Why they’re useful

  • Excellent tracking and a strong corporate service level.
  • Sometimes faster or cheaper on specific corridors.

Shortcomings

  • Like DHL, not built for quick local drops. Expect to be dealing with drop-offs and scheduled pickups.


How I decide which one to use

Delivery speed: same-day = Peng; scheduled inter-state = GIG or Agofure; export = DHL/FedEx.

Who pays: if the buyer pays extra for express, choose the premium carrier. If I absorb cost, I pick Peng or Agofure depending on weight.

Parcel size and handling: bulky = Agofure or a freight specialist; small, urgent = Peng.

Need for customs expertise: DHL or FedEx. Don’t improvise international shipping.

Communication is key in logistics, so I stick with these carriers.


Final Thoughts for Other Entrepreneurs

A reliable pickup and delivery beats a cheaper headline rate; missed deliveries ruin conversion more often than a small price difference.

Use local partners for the first and last mile. Global carriers are brilliant at cross-border, not great at dodging local traffic at 4 p.m.

Keep relationships. When volume spikes, a rider or local manager who knows you will change a deadline to save a sale.

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